Air Quote by Tom Cavanagh
“I think most people who were involved with television will tell you, if given a season or given a 13-episode order and getting those episodes on the air, and if viewers don't come, I think most people will tell you they'd walk away. They feel they were given a fair shake, and if viewers didn't come, they didn't come.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Television Production Panel, 2015
Creators often accept low ratings as a fair outcome when a show fails to attract viewers despite a full season order.
In simple terms: TV makers think low viewership is acceptable if they delivered a full season.
Key Takeaway
Accept responsibility for audience engagement.
Themes
television
production
audience
expectations
Mood
pragmatic
reflective
Type
observational
industry.
When to use this quote
- network executives
- showrunners
- marketing teams
- advertisers
Key Concepts
ratings
fairness
creative risk
Questions to Reflect On
- How can creators better gauge audience interest early?
- What role does marketing play in viewership?
A Different Perspective
Success also depends on promotion and timing, not just content.
![“Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs [Less Developed Countries]?... I think the economic logic behind dumping a load of toxic waste in the lowest wage country is impeccable and we should face up to that... I’ve always…” quote by Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ac4/lawrence-summers-16940_air_just-between-you-and-me-shouldn-t-the-wo_4703.jpg)
![“[A]s you partake of the world's bill of fare, that's darned good advice to follow. Do a lot of spitting out the hot air. And be careful what you swallow.” quote by Dr. Seuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/da8/dr-seuss-1224_advice_a-s-you-partake-of-the-world-s-bill-of-f_6806.jpg)